Painted ivory plaque depicting Diana with Nymphs and Satyrs, Second half 18th century

In the left background is the figure of a Satyr holding a basket of fruit in her arms and turning her eyes to her right, toward Diana (Artemis of Greek mythology), the central figure of the scene, who holds up her skirt to her lap, allowing a glimpse of her legs, and holding up some game. Diana, goddess of the hunt, is recognizable by the lance she holds in her right hand and is accompanied by her faithful dogs, placed at the bottom right of the scene. In the background on the left are two more Satyrs, one of whom is carrying a basket of fruit on her head. On the right, meanwhile, three other nymphs accompany the goddess and help her carry prey. 

The painting takes up the work Satyrs and Nymphs by Pieter Paul Rubens, later reproduced in various engravings, including one by A. H. Payne in 1840-50 (collection Die Dresdner Galerie. Tomo I, Englische Kunstanstalt von A.H. Payne, Leipzig und Dresden).

Item condition grading: *** fair, there is a transverse fracture across the entire surface of the painting.